The vicar of Radlett, Rev Grant Fellows, has revealed that under certain circumstances he will allow divorcees to marry at Christ Church or St John's.

Writing in this month's Radlett Ecumenical Parish magazine, Rev Fellows said: "I believe that we should uphold all of the ideas that Christ sets before us.

"We are not perfect, however, and when we fail, we have to trust in His love and forgiveness. Through penitence and faith we are reconciled to Christ who makes all things new.

"Are those who have been through marital breakdown beyond Christ's compassion if they fall in love again and wish to marry?"

Until Anglican Bishops issue new guidelines, divorcees will be able to marry in Christ Church or St John's -- provided at least one of them has been on the parish roll for 18 months or more and is a regular worshipper.

Rev Fellows said the decision, taken after consultation with his flock, was accepted in May by the parish's parochial church council.

Radlett's vicar stressed the move did not alter his belief that Christ intended marriage to be a life-long union between two people and the church should do its utmost to strengthen and sustain marriage and family life.

For many years, Rev Fellows said, he has followed the Church of England's "official line" by offering couples marrying for the second time a service of thanksgiving after a civil ceremony.

Some clergy, he wrote, have followed their own consciences by exercising their right under civil law to solemnise a second marriage.

"I have only offered couples the first option, but this was for practical rather than theological reasons. Leaving it up to my conscience seemed to cast me in the role of judge and jury as I considered each request.

"This unwelcome role did not seem fair either to the couple or to me. My theological understanding is much more sympathetic to the plight of the couple," he wrote. From November all couples with plans to marry in the village's Anglican churches will be invited to attend pre-marriage courses.

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